Effects of Deployment on Depression Screening Scores in Pregnancy at an Army Military Treatment Facility

Surveys were completed by 3,956 female Active Duty Soldiers or pregnant spouses of Soldiers at an initial obstetric visit. Participants completed surveys at 28-32 weeks gestation and again at 6-8 weeks postpartum. Results were used to examine the relationship between positive depression screening and spouse deployment status. The risk of a positive depression screen more than doubled in those whose spouse was deployed during the 28-32 week gestation period compared to those with a spouse not planning to deploy.